About

Stephen Porter

MA, MFA, LPC-MHSP (Tennessee)

Stephen Therapist psychotherapy & consulting

experience and training

training & experience

I have always been genuinely curious about the deeper undercurrents that drive people, the stories and myths we’ve built for ourselves (both conscious and unconscious), and the many techniques available to help people change. I love to listen and understand, but also to help people have a sense of humor about themselves. Having experienced big shifts in the lives of my clients through our counseling work together over the last five years, I am grateful (and often humbled) that I get to do this work.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC-MHSP), the highest-level license for a professional counselor in the state of Tennessee.

I hold a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and have specialized training in couples counseling (EFT and Imago), individual psychotherapy (EFIT, Jungian Analysis, Person-Centered), contemplative meditation and mindfulness, and the recovery from coercive control, cultic, and spiritually abusive groups.

I currently lead the HR/People function at an innovative healthcare technology company, and have been working at technology startups for the last 12 years. Prior to that I worked in Film and Theater for about ten years – acting, directing and producing plays and movies. I continue to adore and appreciate great movies. Outside of work, I also enjoy music (playing and listening), meditation, and spending time with my wife and five-year-old son.

My credentials:

  • MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Bradley University

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Externship & Core Skills, via NZCEFT

  • Jungian Psychotherapy Certification, Zur Institute

  • MFA, California Institute of the Arts (Film Directing)

  • BA, University of Pennsylvania (Theatre Arts)

meaning, spirituality, and therapy

Carl Jung wrote: “The decisive question for man is: Is he related to something infinite or not? That is the telling question of his life.”

Psychotherapy is not an overtly religious or spiritual activity. But when done well, it should bring us into contact with bigger questions, and, ideally, bigger experiences that ignite the “relation” to something infinite. This can be our deepest self, a Higher Power, a life purpose, or any other “infinite” thing that holds real meaning for us. When this is something that a client wants, it creates a north star for our work together. I look forward to understanding what the infinite is for you, and helping you live from that place every day.

Therapy White Line about stephen porter

For more about my clinical orientation and psychotherapy work, please visit my profile page on Psychology Today.

*Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Services Provider designation (LPC-MHSP) in the state of Tennessee, license #5798.